MAPS is the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems, which is a diagnostic tool to assess procurement systems, supporting governments and partners to identify strengths and weaknesses with the aim of improving the way procurement works.
MAPS Frequently Asked Questions
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Overview
MAPS is a holistic assessment of public procurement systems, based on objective and comprehensive indicators. It assesses legislation, regulation, policies, institutional framework, management capacity, market practices, and the anti-corruption and integrity framework related to public procurement.
MAPS can be applied in any country, regardless of its size, maturity of its public procurement system or state of development. It may be applied at any of the following levels: supra-national (e.g. ECOWAS or CARICOM), national (e.g. Norway, Cabo Verde or Anguilla), subnational (e.g. the State of Nuevo León in Mexico or the State of Bayern in Germany), sector (e.g. the road infrastructure sector in Ethiopia or the health sector in Lao PDR), and entity (e.g. a state-owned enterprise).
Anyone can download and use the MAPS methodology. However, MAPS is most valuable when governments intend to use MAPS to better understand the state of their procurement system with the view of improving it. For this, following the complete MAPS process is advisable, as described below.
The output of a MAPS assessment is a narrative report drafted by assessors, that synthesizes the main findings and recommendations, as well as a suggested action plan. This report contains a detailed matrix providing evidence of the status and any gaps vis-à-vis the MAPS indicator system, for each assessment criterion.
The MAPS framework consists of a main assessment methodology (MAPS MAIN) and four supplementary modules for an in-depth assessment of specific policy topics: Sustainable Public Procurement (MAPS SPP), Professionalisation (MAPS PROF), e-Procurement (MAPS E-PROC), and Public-Private Partnerships and Concessions (MAPS PPP). Each component may be used independently.
No, MAPS does not score countries nor if MAPS intended as a means to compare or benchmark countries. MAPS provides information on the strengths and weaknesses of a procurement system, in a way that informs action plans to improve it.
No, the MAPS Secretariat grants the MAPS Seal of Approval to assessments that live up to the quality standards described in the methodology and its User Guide. This seal is proof of the quality of the assessment, and it is not related to the quality, characteristics or strengths of the assessed procurement system.
MAPS is aligned with international best practices such as the OECD Recommendation on Public Procurement, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) - Model Law on Public Procurement, the European Union (EU) Directives on Public Procurement, and the procurement frameworks used by multilateral development banks.
Assessments are not conditioned by subsequent follow-ups, i.e. they are not a compulsory part of the framework, but future assessments could be carried out to take account of changes and reforms.
Process
The main pre-requisite for starting on a MAPS assessment is the backing of key stakeholders within your country, usually the institution with the overall responsibility for procurement. Countries usually seek support (technical and/or financial) from development partners such as multilateral development banks. Once the intention of carrying out a MAPS assessment is confirmed, the institution that will lead the assessment must inform the MAPS Secretariat and start preparing the assessment's concept note.
Relevant stakeholders, both public and private, in the assessed country should be involved. The plan for this involvement and a checklist of the main stakeholders to involve are described in the assessment Concept Note, whose template is available on our website.
To obtain the MAPS Seal of Approval, MAPS assessments must be drafted by MAPS-certified seasoned public procurement specialists, independent from the government of the assessed jurisdiction.
The list of certified assessors, as well as those who have conducted assessments that have received the MAPS Seal of Approval are published on this website.
From the submission of a concept note until the publication of a report, assessments usually take between 9 and 18 months. The duration depends on the MAPS modules applied, the complexity of the assessed jurisdiction, the availability of information, the commitment from stakeholders to participate in interviews, workshops and other key milestones, etc.
The MAPS framework is free and open access. To carry out an assessment, the country authorities, along with partner institutions, must bear in mind the costs associated with the assessors who will undertake the work, as well as costs for missions, statistical or data analysis, meetings and events for validation and dissemination. All of these should be captured in the assessment's concept note, as established in the concept note template.
Typically, between 150 to 200 expert days are needed to complete a MAPS assessment. In any case, this depends on the complexity of the task, and the availability of qualitative and quantitative information, among other factors. Assessments are usually led by an international consultant with the experience and knowledge of having undertaken this kind of assessment in the past, with the aim of guaranteeing a professional and impartial evaluation. The lead assessor must have the MAPS certification. One or two local consultants provide local context knowledge and experience handling in-country stakeholders. For some exercises, depending on the requirements, experts may be assigned to specific tasks, such as legal review, carrying out and analysing surveys, or collecting and analysing quantitative data.
The MAPS Secretariat operates in three languages: English, Spanish and French. Assessment reports may be written in any language; however, they must be delivered in or translated into either of these three languages if they are submitted for review to the MAPS Secretariat. It is strongly suggested that reports are always translated into English, to facilitate interaction with the ATAG and make them accessible to a broader audience.
MAPS assessments must use three mandatory templates: concept note, indicator matrix and assessment report. These templates are available here.
For all assessments, an assessment technical advisory group (ATAG) is set up with expert members from the MAPS Network. Together with the MAPS Secretariat, the ATAG conducts quality assurance throughout the entire process of the assessment.
The MAPS Seal of Approval certifies that an assessment lives up to the high standards for quality, objectivity, and impartiality in the MAPS framework. Every MAPS assessment undergoes a rigorous quality assurance process and is reviewed both by the MAPS Secretariat and a designated assessment technical advisory group (ATAG) consisting of procurement experts from across the globe. If the necessary requirements are fulfilled, the MAPS Secretariat issues the Seal of Approval, and the assessment report is published on this website.
The MAPS Seal of Approval shows to any reader of a MAPS assessment that it has the required quality to evidence the strengths and weaknesses of the procurement system, in a way that may inform actions to improve it.
The final assessment report includes recommendations for how to address the gaps found as well as a strategic action plan.
If a report fulfils the conditions for receiving the MAPS Seal of Approval, and if the country authorities agree, it will be published on the website.
Training
The easiest way to learn more about applying MAPS is through the free and self-paced e-learning programme.
The MAPS E-learning Programme provides comprehensive training in all aspects of the framework, theoretical as well as practical. The programme is free of charge and entirely self-paced. Just register on the platform and you can access all modules right away.
Check out the help page on the e-learning platform for all information regarding the courses and certification.
Governance
MAPS was created, updated and currently supported by a network of multilateral development banks, international organisations, bilateral aid agencies and countries that have applied MAPS.
The Secretariat provides support and quality assurance throughout the entire process, but we do not carry out assessments. We are available to facilitate partnerships as well as advise on how to get started with MAPS.
No, there are no fees associated to the quality assurance process for MAPS assessments.
A group of countries and international organisations provide funding for the MAPS Secretariat. Current financiers are shown in the About page.
The MAPS Secretariat is an entity hosted by the OECD in Paris, within its Directorate for Public Governance.